Starting-crank for automobiles.



A. E. MILLER.

STARTING CRANK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, W16.

1,236,587. Patented Aug. 14, 1917.

A TTORIVEY ARTHUR E. MILLER, OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

STARTING-CRANK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed November 21, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR E. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sacramento, in the county of Sacramento and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Starting- Cranks for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to manual starting means for the engines of motor vehicles and has for its main object the provision of a starting crank wherein danger of injury to the operators arm due to back-firing shall be eliminated.

The invention therefore consists in the structure of parts and their combination for the purpose specified substantially as herein set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the improved starting crank; Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the shank and handle detached from the bit; and Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the starting bit and appurtenances with shank and handle re moved.

That part of the starting crank which engages the shaft of the engine and which may be of any of the well known forms is herein termed the bit and is indicated by the numeral 5. It has near its outer end a lateral projection 6 here shown curved at its outer extremity but which may be straight throughout if desired. Attached to this projection is a spring arm or preferably a plate spring 7 which projects beyond the end of part 6. A thumb-screw 8 may be located in the projection 6 for regulating the tension of spring 7. On the outer end of the bit 5 just beyond projection 6 the shank 9 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 14, 1917..

Serial No. 132,508.

with its handle 10 is journaled. On the outer end of the shank 9 is a projection 11 for engagement with the spring 7.

In using the starting crank the projection 11 bears against the free end of spring 7 and as the handle 10 is rotated the bit rotates with it. Should baclefiring occur the spring 7 will yield snapping past projection 11 and thereby prevent the transmission of the shock to the arm of the operator.

The invention claimed is- 1. A starting crank for automobiles consisting in the combination of an engaging bit a spring arm projecting laterally from the bit a shank having a handle and journaled 0n the outer end of the bit and pro vided with a projection for engagement with the spring arm for the purpose set forth.

2. A starting crank for automobiles consisting in the combination of an engaging bit having a lateral projection near its outer end a plate spring secured to said projection and protruding beyond the outer end thereof and a turning handle journaled on the outer end of the bit and having a projection for engaging the free end of said spring for the purpose set forth.

3. A starting crank for automobiles consisting in the combination of an engaging bit having a lateral projection near the outer end thereof, the outer end of said projection being curved, a spring secured to said projection and extending beyond the curved portion an adjustable tension stop for said spring and a turning handle journaled on the outer end of the bit and having a projection for engaging the free end of said spring for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ARTHUR E. MILLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

